It's a Stroll for Moore

The Guinness Kerry National was one of the few big National Hunt races to have eluded Arthur Moore, but More Than A Stroll put the record straight for the Naas trainer when landing the £100,000 handicap in front of almost 25,000 racegoers.

The nine-year-old gelding was always travelling sweetly and, after jumping to the front at the third last, kept on strongly for Conor O'Dwyer to beat Monty's Pass by three and a half lengths. Rockholm Boy was always close to the pace and kept on a further three lengths back in third.

"He handled the ground (good to firm) well, and the fast pace suited him," said Moore before adding: "He was second in the Troytown last year, and I plan to give him a run over hurdles at Naas before having a go at that race again."

O'Dwyer, who has won this Festival feature twice before aboard The Gooser and Desert Lord, said: "He got there a bit too soon, but after he pinged the third last I decided to let him off."

Moore later doubled up in the Seamus Mulvaney Handicap Chase where the Danny Howard-ridden Auditty headed the front-running Lord Grey at the last to score by half a length.

Michael Halford's best ever season continues apace, and the Curragh trainer brought his winning tally under both codes this year to 43 when completing a mixed double with In The Dusk and Fearsome Factor.

Rachel Costello (18) is apprenticed to the Halford stable, and the Limerick girl partnered her third winner when producing In The Dusk to head Georgia Peach inside the final furlong for a length and a half victory in the Tom Browne Memorial Handicap.

The Brief Truce gelding edged slightly left when striking the front, but the placings remained unaltered after a stewards' inquiry.

Fearsome Factor had his task greatly eased with the withdrawal of Hartigan and Goldstreet from the Schering-Plough Animal Health Veterinary Hurdle, and he duly justified odds of 4 to 7.

Paul Carberry elected to make all on the six-year-old in this two miles event and, despite a couple of hesitant jumps, cruised home in the straight to beat Brachvogel by four lengths.

After disappointing behind Golden Row at the Galway Festival Tony Mullins switched The Baltimore Man to handicapping at the September meeting there and this time he showed a lot more sparkle, it being his turn to beat the favourite.

From the second last the contest was all over bar a fall and while he was not fluent at the last, he still cruised in four lengths ahead of Blue to whom he was giving 18lb.

He takes on stouter opposition in the Smithwicks Beer Handicap Hurdle on the fourth day of the Listowel Festival but even off a 9lb higher mark, he should have the beating of the top weight Timber King.

Hill Port, who had finished ahead of The Baltimore Man on their last encounter, can scarcely be opposed in the Coleman Tunnelling Maiden Hurdle.

Sitetanic did not have the luck of the race at Ballinrobe when a close-up second behind Henry's Girlie at 2m 4f.

He beat Knockawad at Sligo last season and that would vertainly out him into 3m hurdle with a sporting chance.

Aidan O'Brien had a brace of juvenile winners here on Monday and Goodwin Sands looks another in this age bracket capable of winning over the mile of the Harvest Festival Maiden.

The Mighty Sparrow may not have lived up to the promise he showed in his younger days when he was well spoken of point-to-pointer but his most recent bumper when second to Bridge Hotel at Galway was an encouraging omen of a near at hand success.

The Paddy Cullagh Memorial bumper looks within his compass despite the presence of the Ted Walsh-trained Kilcrea Shyan.